OpenAI is launching a premium subscription tier for its ChatGPT platform, priced at $200 per month, alongside a major update to its "reasoning" model series, o1. This marks a significant step in the company's efforts to enhance its AI offerings with more advanced capabilities and tailored features for professional and enterprise users.

The newly unveiled ChatGPT Pro tier provides users with unlimited access to OpenAI's cutting-edge tools, including the fully developed o1 model, the enhanced GPT-4o, and an Advanced Voice mode. A standout feature exclusive to Pro users is the o1 Pro mode, a computationally intensive version of the o1 model designed to tackle the most complex queries with unparalleled precision.

This high-end tier aims to cater to professionals requiring advanced capabilities, such as coding, math, and reasoning tasks. The subscription also supports image-based reasoning, offering a versatile tool for solving intricate problems.

The rollout of the complete o1 model replaces the earlier preview version, codenamed "Strawberry," introduced in September. Starting today, it will be available to ChatGPT Plus and Team subscribers, with Enterprise and Education users gaining access next week.

The existing ChatGPT Plus tier, priced at $20 per month, continues to provide early access to new features and models, excluding the exclusive o1 Pro mode available only in the Pro tier.

OpenAI promises a host of improvements with the updated o1 model. Compared to the preview version, the new model is faster, more accurate, and excels in coding and math tasks. It also generates more concise responses, ensuring reduced response times. Users can expect continued advancements, as OpenAI plans to integrate additional features such as web browsing and file uploads, though timelines for these updates remain unspecified.

To extend the utility of its platform to the research community, OpenAI announced the ChatGPT Pro Grant Program, offering 10 grants to medical researchers at top institutions. The initiative aims to broaden access to its Pro tier and is expected to expand into other disciplines in the future.

The launch aligns with OpenAI's broader "shipmas" campaign, a 12-day event featuring a series of product launches and announcements. This includes the anticipated debut of OpenAI's text-to-video AI tool, Sora, and another new model. The company appears committed to maintaining its competitive edge through a rapid pace of innovation and product development.

OpenAI's introduction of a premium tier underscores its ambition to cater to diverse user needs, from individual professionals to enterprise-level clients. By combining powerful tools with advanced reasoning capabilities, ChatGPT Pro aims to redefine what AI can accomplish in practical, high-stakes scenarios.

With these updates, OpenAI is poised to further solidify its position as a leader in AI technology, offering solutions that meet the growing demand for sophisticated, high-performance AI tools.